THE FLATS – The top-10 machine Matt Kuchar chalks up another one at the Fortinet Championship … Stewart Cink navigates the Silverado Resort hours after scouting trip to Italy with Team USA … More details below in this week’s Georgia Tech #ProJackets Report.
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KUCHAR CONTENDS AT FORTINET CHAMPIONSHIP
One of the most popular players on the PGA Tour is contending in Northern California.
Fresh off a 7-under 65, Matt Kuchar heads into the final round of the Fortinet Championship trailing Sahith Theegala by three strokes.
He did not make a single bogey and made seven birdies, including a chip-in at the par-3 17th.
“It’s an exciting place to be,” Kuchar said when asked about his position on the leaderboard.
“Certainly a great leaderboard, some really good names up there at the top. I’m thrilled to be part of those names and looking forward to having some fun out there. Listen, this is kind of why we all play. You want to have a chance come Sunday, and golf gets a lot more fun when you’ve got a chance to win a tournament on Sunday.”
Kuchar always seems to have fun on the golf course, whether he is in contention or missing the cut. His smile is infectious, his dad jokes are contagious, and seemingly everyone on tour loves him.
Kuchar finished in a tie for seventh place ultimately, after posting a closing 73 on Sunday and securing the 116th top-10 finish of his illustrious career. Vincent Whaley also turned in a solid performance over the weekend, tying for 25th place at 8-under-par 280 to move up 10 positions in the FedEx Cup points race. Six events remain for Whaley and three other Yellow Jackets to climb into the top 125 and keep their PGA Tour status for 2024, including Richy Werenski (No. 144), who tied for 66th, and Paul Haley II (No. 135) and Stewart Cink (No. 166), who both missed the cut. Chesson Hadley sits at No. 122 after tying for 62nd place.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Kuuuuuuuuch!<br><br>He’s now -7 today, -14 overall and shares a piece of the lead with Sahith Theegala and S.H. Kim! <br><br>Love seeing Kuchar play well. One of the fan favorites on tour. <a href=”https://t.co/o3z7UHBIc6″>pic.twitter.com/o3z7UHBIc6</a></p>— Jack Milko (@jack_milko) <a href=”https://twitter.com/jack_milko/status/1703191258838020404?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>September 16, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
Kuuuuuuuuch!
He’s now -7 today, -14 overall and shares a piece of the lead with Sahith Theegala and S.H. Kim!
Love seeing Kuchar play well. One of the fan favorites on tour. pic.twitter.com/o3z7UHBIc6
— Jack Milko (@jack_milko) September 16, 2023
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JOHNSON, CINK PLAY DUAL ROLES AT FORTINET CHAMPIONSHIP
Zach Johnson and Stewart Cink were dazed and even a little daffy.
They were doing a press conference at the Fortinet Championship at Silverado Resort in Napa, California, 6,245 miles from Rome. That’s where U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Johnson and Cink, one of his vice-captains, were last weekend for an advance scouting trip, along with nine of the 12 players on the team.
Multi-tasking is the name of the game these days for the two longtime friends, who at Silverado will keep their minds on their own careers – Cink will also play the PGA TOUR Champions’ PURE Insurance Championship next week – while tending to their Ryder Cup duties. For now, that means getting on West Coast time.
Asked about his dual roles, Cink, who calls Napa one of his favorite spots on TOUR, said he’s devised a way to keep them straight. Hint: It involves wine.
“I will be sampling some of the Napa varieties so I can compare it to some of the Italian varieties when we get over there,” he said. “That’s part of my strategy this week to keep my mind compartmentalized.”
He was just getting warmed up.
“I still got to figure out where the holes are,” he said of the rerouted Silverado North. “I know all 18 holes here, but now I don’t know which order they’re going in. Where do I walk after No. 7? I don’t know. I have to probably look at the ropes and the signs to figure all that out. I haven’t played the course yet since I’ve been here.”
UPCOMING EVENTS
- PGA Tour: Sanderson Farms Championship • October 5-8, 2023 • Country Club of Jackson • Jackson, Miss. • Purse: $8.2M • FedEx Cup points: 500
- Korn Ferry Tour: Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship • September 21-24, 2023 • Ohio State University Golf Club • Columbus, Ohio • Purse: $1.5M
- PGA Tour Champions: Pure Insurance Championship • September 22-24, 2023 • Pebble Beach Golf Links • Pebble Beach, Calif. • Purse: $2.3M
- PGA Tour Canada: season concluded
- Asian Tour: International Series Singapore • October 5-8, 2023 • Tanah Merah Country Club • Singapore • Purse: $2M
- LIV Golf Series: Chicago • September 22-24, 2023 • Rich Harvest Farms • Sugar Grove, Ill. • Purse: $25M
- G Pro Tour: Waverly Open • September 19-21, 2023 • Sanctuary Golf Club • Waverly, Ga. • Purse: $66,525
#PROJACKETS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Excused absence 🇺🇸@stewartcink heads to @RyderCupUSA and wishes his competitors well at @AscensionCCG. pic.twitter.com/XA1MgV3OFG
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) September 10, 2023
I’ve been the Tan Line Guy for long enough!!!! https://t.co/uFRQRQPtL3
— Stewart Cink (@stewartcink) September 11, 2023
𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 close to a hole out 🤏@ChessonHadley | @FortinetChamp pic.twitter.com/oWjSkHLMKp
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 14, 2023
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PLAYER PLAYER LAST WEEK DATA ANDERS ALBERTSON
Hometown: Woodstock, Ga.
Turned pro: 2015
Years at Georgia Tech: 2011-15
Status: PGA TourDid not play FedEx Cup points ranking: 231
YTD earnings: $8,760
KFT points ranking: 126
YTD earnings (KFT): $14,525
Career earnings (PGAT): $556,905
Career earnings (KFT): $929,956 STEWART CINK
Hometown: Florence, Ala.
Residence: Duluth, Ga.
Turned pro: 1995
Years at Georgia Tech: 1991-95
Status: PGA Tour/PGA Tour ChampionsPGA Tour
The Open Championship
missed cut
76-77--153 (+11)Schwab Cup points ranking: 24
YTD Earnings (Champions): $144,315
Career earnings (Champions): $787,185
FedEx Cup points ranking: 169
YTD earnings (PGA Tour): $251,719
Career earnings (PGA Tour): $43,778,583 WILL DICKSON
Hometown: Providence, R.I.
Residence: Atlanta, Ga.
Turned pro: 2021
Years at Georgia Tech: 2017-21
Status: Developmental toursDid not play GPro Points ranking: 20
YTD Earnings (GPro): $4,797
Career earnings (GPro): $59,704
Points ranking (KFT): 193
YTD earnings (KFT): $4,538
Points ranking (FET): 154
YTD earnings (FET): $2,571 DAVID DUVAL
Hometown: Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
Residence: Denver, Colo.
Turned pro: 1993
Years at Georgia Tech: 1989-93
Status: PGA Tour ChampionsDid not play Schwab Cup Points ranking: 47
YTD earnings (Champions): $251,181
Career earnings (Champions): $545,141
Career earnings (PGAT): $18,983,931 J.T. GRIFFIN
Hometown: Wilson, N.C.
Residence: Marietta, Ga.
Turned pro: 2011
Years at Georgia Tech: 2007-11
Status: Korn Ferry TourDid not play Fortinet Cup points: n/a
YTD earnings (Canada): n/a
Career earnings (Canada): $29,836
Career earnings (KFT): $187,056 CHESSON HADLEY
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
Turned pro: 2010
Years at Georgia Tech: 2006-10
Status: PGA TourPGA Tour
Barracuda Championship
T-24
8-5-13-9--35FedEx Cup points ranking: 127
YTD earnings: $515,103
Career earnings: $12,239,163 SHUN YAT HAK
Hometown: Hong Kong
Turned pro: 2013
Years at Georgia Tech: 2012-13
Status: PGA Tour ChinaKorn Ferry Tour
Price Cutter Charity Championship
missed cut
75-68--143 (-1)Fortinet Cup points: n/a
YTD earnings: n/a
Career earnings: ¥251,305 PAUL HALEY II
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Turned pro: 2011
Years at Georgia Tech: 2007-11
Status: PGA TourKorn Ferry Tour
Price Cutter Charity Championship
missed cut
73-73--146 (+2)FedEx Cup points: 223
YTD earnings (PGA Tour): $9,160
KFT points ranking: 205
YTD earnings (KFT): $9,160
Career earnings (PGAT): $837,353
Career earnings (KFT): $1,090,275 CONNOR HOWE
Hometown: Ogden, Utah
Residence: Atlanta, Ga.
Turned pro: 2023
Years at Georgia Tech: 2018-23
Status: PGA Tour CanadaKorn Ferry Tour
Price Cutter Charity Championship
missed cut
70-69--139 (-5)KFT points ranking: 162
YTD earnings (KFT): $27,131
Fortinet Cup points ranking: n/a
YTD earnings (Canada): $n/a MATT KUCHAR
Hometown:
Lake Mary, Fla.
Residence: Sea Island, Ga.
Turned pro: 2000
Years at Georgia Tech: 1997-2000
Status: PGA TourPGA Tour
Rocket Mortgage Classic
T-25
70-68-71-69--278 (-10)FedEx Cup points ranking: 140
YTD earnings: $550,656
Career earnings (PGAT): $59,309,347 CHRISTO LAMPRECHT
Hometown: George, South Africa
Turned pro: 2024
Years at Georgia Tech: 2000-24
Status: Korn Ferry TourKorn Ferry Tour
Price Cutter Charity Championship
72-66-68-70--276 (-12)KFT points ranking: 129
YTD earnings: $32,300
Career earnings (KFT): $32,300 ANDY MAO
Hometown: Johns Creek, Ga.
Turned pro: 2024
Years at Georgia Tech: 2020-24
Status: developmental toursDid not play GPro points ranking: n/a
YTD earnings: n/a LARRY MIZE
Residence: Columbus, Ga.
Turned pro: 1980
Years at Georgia Tech: 1975-79
Status: PGA Tour ChampionsDid not play Schwab Cup points ranking: 112
YTD earnings: $10,863
Career earnings (Champions): $5,166,866
Career earnings (PGAT): $7,947,092 ANDY OGLETREE
Hometown: Little Rock, Miss.
Residence: Roswell, Ga.
Turned pro: 2020
Years at Georgia Tech: 2016-20
Status: Asian TourPGA Tour
The Open Championship
79th
75-72-79-77--303 (+19)LIV standings: 28
YTD earnings (LIV): $1,864,417
Order of Merit (Asian Tour): 52
YTD earnings (Asian Tour): $20,300
Career earnings (LIV): $2,829,500 CHRIS PETEFISH
Hometown: Danville, Calif.
Turned pro: 2018
Years at Georgia Tech: 2014-18
Status: Korn Ferry TourKorn Ferry Tour
Price Cutter Charity Championship
missed cut
74-73--147 (+3)KFT Points ranking: 156
YTD earnings (KFT): $20,239
Career earnings (KFT): $342,455
Career earnings (PGA Tour Canada): $21,118 SETH REEVES
Hometown: Duluth, Ga.
Turned pro: 2014
Years at Georgia Tech: 2010-14
Status: Korn Ferry TourKorn Ferry Tour
Price Cutter Charity Championship
70-73--143 (-1)KFT points ranking: 35
YTD earnings (KFT): $154,619
Career earnings (PGAT): $649,622
Career earnings (KFT): $780,736 LUKE SCHNIEDERJANS
Hometown: Powder Springs, Ga.
Residence: Alpharetta, Ga.
Turned pro: 2020
Years at Georgia Tech: 2016-20
Status: MacKenzie Tour/Forme TourDid not play Fortinet Cup points: 65
YTD earnings (Americas): $4,736
Career earnings (Canada): $46,844 OLLIE SCHNIEDERJANS
Hometown: Powder Springs, Ga.
Turned pro: 2015
Years at Georgia Tech: 2011-15
Status: Korn Ferry TourKorn Ferry Tour
Price Cutter Charity Championship
missed cut
74-71--145 (+1)KFT Points ranking: 110
YTD earnings: $52,500
Career earnings (KFT): $618,210
Career earnings (PGAT): $3,879,653 BEN SMITH
Hometown: Novi, Mich.
Residence: Atlanta, Ga.
Turned pro: 2022
Years at Georgia Tech: 2018-22
Status: developmental toursDid not play GPro points ranking: 36
YTD earnings: $4,490 ROSS STEELMAN
Hometown: Columbia, Mo.
Residence: Atlanta, Ga.
Turned pro: 2023
Years at Georgia Tech: 2021-23
Status: Korn Ferry TourKorn Ferry Tour
Price Cutter Charity Championship
missed cut
69-73--142 (-2)KFT points ranking: 44
YTD earnings (KFT): $119,511
Career earnings (KFT): $143,362 TYLER STRAFACI
Hometown: Davie, Fla.
Residence: Davie, Fla.
Turned pro: 2020
Years at Georgia Tech: 2016-20
Status: noneDid not play Fortinet Cup points: 114
YTD earnings (Canada): $789
Career earnings (PGAT Americas): $45,681
YTD earnings (GPro Tour): $1,112
Career earnings (PGA Tour): $21,111
Career earnings (Canada): $12,970 CAMERON TRINGALE
Hometown: Laguna Niguel, Calif.
Turned pro: 2009
Years at Georgia Tech: 2005-09
Status: LIV Golf/Asian TourDid not play LIV standings: 32
YTD Earnings (LIV): $2,048,025
YTD earnings (Asian Tour): n/a
Career earnings (LIV): $9,043,173
Career earnings (PGAT): $17,310,004 RICHY WERENSKI
Hometown: South Hadley, Mass.
Turned pro: 2014
Years at Georgia Tech: 2011-14
Status: Korn Ferry TourKorn Ferry Tour
Price Cutter Charity Championship
T-15
63-69-69-69--270 (-18)FedEx Cup points ranking: n/a
KFT points ranking: 41
YTD earnings (KFT): $65,960
YTD earnings (PGA Tour): $57,000
Career earnings (KFT): $560,426
Career earnings (PGAT): $6,765,035 VINCENT WHALEY
Hometown: McKinney, Texas
Residence: Alpharetta, Ga.
Turned pro: 2017
Years at Georgia Tech: 2013-17
Status: PGA TourPGA Tour
Barracuda Championship
2nd
13-9-16-9--47FedEx Cup points ranking: 117
YTD earnings (PGA Tour): $282,284
Career earnings (PGA Tour): $2,928,093
Korn Ferry Tour points ranking: 81
YTD earnings (KFT): $206,369
Career earnings (KFT): $350,642